Waitrose Biggin Hill

Without doubt the best British supermarket on the quality food stakes. However, this - and its buying power - pitches its prices out of the everyday reach of many.

It's a good example of how all supermarkets have improved during the last few years.

You'll find a comprehensive fruit and vegetable department generally with interesting exotics, plus fresh herbs and organic vegetables; a meat and poultry section that includes items from farms which run on a free-range system, and meat that has been traditionally hung, without too much hurry; plus some seasonal game.

Like most supermarkets the fish counter relies too heavily on products that have previously been frozen, but their fishmongers are well trained and can give useful cooking advice.

On the cheese front they have to stock basic factory made plastic-wrapped varieties, but there are also many specialist cheeses on offer. Similarly the charcuterie looks impressive but relies on fast moving items, rather than better specialist products.

Their bread is of a standard and variety undreamt of by supermarkets, and most bakers, only a decade ago.

Their decision to introduce produce from local producers is another step in the right direction.